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42 U.S. Code § 1320b-20. Work incentives outreach program
(a) Establishment
(1) In general
The Commissioner, in consultation with the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel established under section 101(f) of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, shall establish a community-based work incentives planning and assistance program for the purpose of disseminating accurate information to disabled beneficiaries on work incentives programs and issues related to such programs.
(2) Grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and outreachUnder the program established under this section, the Commissioner shall—
(A)
establish a competitive program of grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to provide benefits planning and assistance, including information on the availability of protection and advocacy services, to disabled beneficiaries, including individuals participating in the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program established under section 1320b–19 of this title, the program established under section 1382h of this title, and other programs that are designed to encourage disabled beneficiaries to work;
(B) conduct directly, or through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, ongoing outreach efforts to disabled beneficiaries (and to the families of such beneficiaries) who are potentially eligible to participate in Federal or State work incentive programs that are designed to assist disabled beneficiaries to work, including—
(i)
preparing and disseminating information explaining such programs; and
(ii)
working in cooperation with other Federal, State, and private agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve disabled beneficiaries, and with agencies and organizations that focus on vocational rehabilitation and work-related training and counseling;
(C) establish a corps of trained, accessible, and responsive work incentives specialists within the Social Security Administration who will specialize in disability work incentives under subchapters II and XVI for the purpose of disseminating accurate information with respect to inquiries and issues relating to work incentives to—
(i)
disabled beneficiaries;
(ii)
benefit applicants under subchapters II and XVI; and
(iii)
individuals or entities awarded grants under subparagraphs [1] (A) or (B); and
(D) provide—
(i)
training for work incentives specialists and individuals providing planning assistance described in subparagraph (C); and
(ii)
technical assistance to organizations and entities that are designed to encourage disabled beneficiaries to return to work.